Climate communication to inform community adaptation decision making

Transcription

1 Climate communication to inform community adaptation decision making Experiences from the Adaptation Learning Programme CARE International Parallel Session II: Mainstreaming Climate Services Africa Climate Conference 15 th 18 th October 2013 Arusha, Tanzania

2 The need for climate information Pastoralists, farmers, rural communities are vulnerable, faced with many risks and uncertainty They make seasonal and long term livelihood decisions Changing, unpredictable climatic patterns and extremes challenge success Climate information can be a valuable resource for communities, local governments and other service providers (end users) to: Ø Make more informed, anticipatory and flexible decisions Ø Enable effective and timely risk management Ø Develop adapted and diversified livelihoods options Ø Reduce vulnerability

3 Is translated to relate to local livelihoods, knowledge and experience Listens and responds to locally expressed needs Is accessible to everyone who needs (language, communication outreach) The value of climate information is realised when it: Recognises knowledge and capacity of end users: Ø Understand and adapt to the reality of long term climate change Ø Understand and use forecasts and probabilities Ø Generate seasonal and short range forecasts from local climate knowledge Ø Record and use climate data contributing to localised / downscaled information

4 Producing data: Community rainfall recording Working with Meteorological services to install rain gauges in communities in Niger and Ghana. Ø Met. trained community monitors on rainfall recording. Ø Access: Community monitors use mobile phones > Dakoro meteorological department > community radio stations > communities Ø Met services have additional localised data Use of data: Community members also get rainfall amounts direct from community monitors Ø In Niger this enabled successful timing of planting dates Ø In Ghana communities are maintaining records to inform future seasons

5 Translating forecasts for usability: Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP) Multi-stakeholder platform science (meteorology) with communities, government ministries from different sectors, NGOs, CBOs. Share & combine seasonal climate forecasts > local & scientific sources. Collectively interpret seasonal forecast and probabilities into potential risks and local livelihood and sector specific seasonal advisories. Advisories communicated to users through local channels. Enable decision making and planning which responds to seasonal climatic risk, uncertainty and opportunities.

6 Forecast Translation issues Climate forecasts cover large areas, miss out on local micro-climates Accuracy End user information needs and local knowledge differ from forecast products (e.g. rainfall distribution in time and space) Presentation of forecasts as one likely future / one message for action Relevance Distrust when reality is different Top down service delivery Advisories communicate advice for action rather than criteria and options for decision making

7 Translation issues: usable information Interaction and co-generation of information between scientists and end users Sensitivity and respect by scientists of end users needs and language communication styles Products convey risk and uncertainty in usable ways: Ø Advisories present options for different scenarios rather than fixed messages Ø Ø Reference to analog years Necessary conditions and criteria for action decisions Feedback loops to inform: Ø Scientists of user needs and remain relevant Ø Design of new and improved products

8 Communication issues: accessible information Met. Services capacity to communicate to end users, requires: Ø Knowledge of end user needs, local context and capacities Ø Respect / interest in end user knowledge and information Ø Learn local communication styles, improve communication skills Ø Discuss and agree translation of technical terms and how to explain Ø Interact with other local service delivery systems Dissemination channels: Ø Knowledge of end users different access to communication channels Ø Work with channels to ensure understanding / messages are user friendly Ø Working with existing channels e.g. radio, early warning, market information services Research required on all the above

9 Research for climate products Products that respond to user needs - relevant for decision making Responsive to changing need and demand: Ø As the climate keeps changing and science develops, Ø As users become more knowledgeable about using forecasts. Recognition and use of local knowledge on risk, weather trends and related impacts. Methods for co-generation of downscaled climate forecast information, with end users knowledge. Product presentation and communication. Systems for analysis and use of rainfall data collected by communities.

10 For More Information... ALP: Thank You! Joto Afrika Special Issue 12 on Climate communication for adaptation: PSP brief: PSP Case study Climate for Development: Community story on rain gauges: ALP_Ghana_Rainfall_Guages_Nov12.pdf ALP is supported by